DE10059763A1 - Device for measuring a rail segment for a magnetic levitation train - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for measuring a rail segment (10) for the line of a magnetic levitation railway, comprising markers (162) supported by a measuring unit (36) whereby the position thereof is measured using an electronic camera (164) which is arranged on the end of a rail segment (10). The measuring unit (36)which is displaceable on the rail segment comprises a displacement measuring device which measures the position of the measuring unit (36) in relation to the ends of the rail segment (10). The position of the measuring unit (10) is transmitted in a wireless manner to an evaluation unit (168) which is connected to the output of the electronic camera (164).

Description

The invention relates to a device for measurement of a rail segment for a magnetic levitation railway.

The lines for magnetic levitation trains are being turned into one Factory built prefabricated rail segments. in the With regard to the suspension trains even at high speeds These rail segments must operate correctly be worked on with high accuracy. The rail segment elements are about 60 m long in practice. In principle, could control of straight rail segments Make measuring devices that have a similar structure like coordinate measuring machines. But that would be fine very expensive coordinate guides for straight rail segments necessary. Now the rail segments are for a magnet suspension railway additionally according to the respective geometry the route is curved (laterally (curves) and after above or below (beginning of slope, end of slope)), and in addition, the rail segments are closed in curves also twisted around its longitudinal axis. With regard at the cost of the measuring device one would have to on a smaller number of standard rail segments restrict what concessions regarding the trassie would require.

The present device is intended to be a measuring device created that even extremely long workpieces, like the rail segments of the route for a magnetic weld can be measured economically.

This object is achieved by a  Device with the features specified in claim 1.

In the device according to the invention, the workpiece even used as a guide for a measuring unit. This is preferably moved step by step on the workpiece, the measurement to be carried out at one point handle. The measuring unit is moved on preferably so that one is present in the workpiece processed positions as reference points for the Movement of the measuring unit used.

In the claims and the present description it is assumed that such processing points Are recesses that were / are created in the workpiece. It is understood that other editing equally results can be used, e.g. B. sublime Ab cuts on the workpiece by welding or other fastening material arise or also Work results, such as local polishing or the like, which are only recognizable, different, optical Manifest properties.

The measuring unit thus works in precisely predetermined Steps on the workpiece itself.

The measurement is carried out together with an editing led, the processing is preferably carried out by one End of the workpiece in order to sit in a row of different machined workpieces also one to ensure correct transition in the specified division Afford. In principle, one could edit the work but also from any middle point of the Make the workpiece starting and then the workpiece flat measure on both sides towards the two ends.  

According to the invention, the position is precisely determined the measuring unit, which is directly related to the geometry of the rail segment is assigned to the location at which the measuring unit each, using at least one trademark, which is carried by the measuring unit and a camera, which creates an image of the brands.

The picture can be a conventional photograph act as a picture on a film, which later on a scanner or a measuring microscope is evaluated. However, an electronic camera is preferred using an imager. The generated by this electrical image can be easily electronically related the location of the brands and based on them the coordinates of the rail section just measured evaluate.

Advantageous developments of the invention are in Unter claims specified.

The development of the invention according to claim 2 facilitate the recognition of the marks.

If you place the brands as stated in claim 3, this is how the position coordinates of the marks are converted to the desired position coordinates of the rail segment particularly easy.

With the development of the invention according to claim 4 is achieved that the brands in the immediate vicinity of the guide surfaces of the rail segment.

The development of the invention according to claim 5 is with regard to easy assignment of the brands coordinates to the position of the measuring unit on the rails  segment of advantage. In addition, at the end of the Measuring unit arranged marks optically particularly good recognizable.

With the development of the invention according to claim 6 it is achieved that the measuring unit at precisely predetermined Bringing the rail segment to a stop, to there the position coordinates of the rail segment determine. This way you get a special one high accuracy in determining the course of the Rail segment.

With the development of the invention according to claim 7 you get a forced precise positioning of the Measuring unit at the various measuring points.

This positioning can be done by a servo motor be performed as indicated in claim 8. hereby the gradual movement of the measuring is designed unit particularly simple.

With a device according to claim 9 one obtains on simple way the current position of the measuring unit on the rail segment.

The development of the invention has the claim 10 the advantage that the measuring unit does not have a cable needs to be connected to the evaluation unit. Given the considerable length of the rail segments for cable connections complex cable routing or Like. Be provided.

In a device according to claim 11, the total amount of data to measure the rail segment small and is directly related to the corresponding design data  assignable to the rail segment, which usually also be created with appropriate screening.

Is the measuring unit according to claim 12 part of a machining unit, so measuring a rail segment done simultaneously with its processing.

With the development of the invention according to claim 13 is achieved that the chassis automatically transverse to the longitudinal direction of the workpiece riert.

According to claim 14 you can very good positioning with small spring travel also for the usually large one Receive processing unit with weight (one Processing unit as it is used in practice device of magnetic levitation rail segments used will, for. B. six milling machines and six boring machines exhibit).

The development of the invention according to claim 15 allows it, the self-centering of the undercarriage on the two Side surfaces of the rail segment also in such Make sections correctly in which the main area of the workpiece is inclined to the horizontal and in addition Weight forces come into play.

A device according to claim 16 can weight com compensation for one or the other roll direction accomplish inclined sections of a rail segment.

According to claim 17, one can compensate for the influence the weight of the processing unit on the centering automatically.  

The control signal specifying this compensation can according to claim 18 simply from the output signal of a slope sensors are derived.

Alternatively, according to claim 19, the compensation Control signal from the output signal from the chassis derive gene odometer, z. B. by using addressed a read-only memory to this signal, in which is known from the design data of the workpiece th inclinations of the main surface sections in dependencies the distance from the end of the workpiece are.

With the development of the invention according to claim 20 is achieved that the processing unit to control necessary data of the processing operations has without the processing unit over a long Cable would have to be connected to a work controller.

A device as specified in claim 21 is particularly suitable for the generation of precise and a predetermined profile, transverse grooves in the workpiece. Such transverse grooves in one Carrier rail of a rail segment for a magnetic welding bebahn are used for this purpose, stator laminations hang up in which the field coils are inserted, that generate the magnetic field carrying the hover vehicle.

The development of the invention according to claim 22 allows holes in the workpiece in a regular pattern generate the z. B. for attaching fasteners serve. Such fasteners are used for rails segments for a maglev train, which in the Recesses inserted lamella packets in their Secure location.  

The development of the invention according to claim 23 is with regard to an overall short processing time of the workpiece is an advantage.

The development of the invention according to claim 24 enables the different milling machines and boring mills to use for different purposes. So can the successive milling in the longitudinal direction of the tool works are once provided with identical tools, and then the processing unit after each work cycle by the length of the entire group, or the milling machines can be used with different tools be equipped, e.g. B. for pre-milling, center milling and Fine milling, then moving the machining unit only by the distance of a single exception mung takes place.

The development of the invention according to claim 25 enables light the use of the processing device too on workpieces that are more curved and / or are twisted.

If you don't just use one positioning device, but for security and accuracy reasons a plurality of one another in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece following positioning means, you can this according Claim 26 also on a separate undercarriage provide to work more curved and / or twisted to be able to edit pieces.

With the development of the invention according to claim 27 is achieved by the articulated connection between the individual undercarriages none of the bend and / or twisting processing inaccuracies  arise.

The development of the invention according to claim 28 allows it, the workpieces to their ends completely to edit. It is also possible to use the heavy one Processing unit in the immediate vicinity of the actual one Working area and without the aid of lifting equipment to park when a finished workpiece against a new one is exchanged.

In a processing device according to claim 29 the processing unit runs under exactly the same conditions over the end of the workpiece. This is for the accuracy of processing the terminal Recesses an advantage.

The development of the invention according to claim 30 allows it, the park parts smoothly and smoothly at the ends of the To connect the workpiece.

The development of the invention according to claim 31 is in view of the low cost of the base units for the park parts are an advantage, as they are not specially constructed must be and essentially unchanged from the Stock of base units can be taken from the are needed anyway to support the workpiece.

The invention based on embodiment examples with reference to the drawing explained. In this show:

Figure 1 is a side view of a device for machining and measuring the stator mounting rail of a rail segment for a magnetic levitation train.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a section of the stator mounting rail of the rail segment according to FIG. 1 with some stator segments suspended;

FIG. 3 shows a detail from a section of the stator mounting rail according to FIG. 2, a positioning unit also being shown;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the embodiment shown in Figure 1 processing apparatus along the section line IV-IV.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a mounting for a workpiece and an end bearing for a rail segment which continues releasing Park part;

Fig. 6 is a side view of a bearing for the center of the rail segment, such as is used in the processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

Figure 7 is a side view of another Basisein unit, as used at intermediate points of the rail segment for support and vibration damping.

FIG. 8 seen a view of the base unit according to FIG. 7 in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece;

Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of a modified measuring and processing unit for use in the measuring and processing device according to Fig. 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an evaluation unit which is part of an apparatus for measuring a rail segment;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the end face of a modified measuring unit, which is shown on a rail segment and

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, showing a further modified measuring unit.

In Fig. 1, a total of 10 rail segment is referred to, which is used to implement the travel path of a magnetic levitation train. The total length of the rail segment designated L in FIG. 1 is typically 60 m.

The rail segment 10 comprises a closed box profile 12 , on which reinforcement plates 14 are welded at intervals of about 3 m.

The rail segment 10 is supported on the floor of a factory hall designated by 22 via two terminal base units 16 , 18 and a central base unit 20 . Further intermediate base units 24 support the rail segment 10 at four intermediate points lying between adjacent base units.

The base units 16-20 correspond to support points for the rail segment, as are also provided in the finished route; the intermediate base units 24 serve to additionally support the rail segment 10 for machining and to dampen oscillations and vibrations that arise during machining.

At the ends of the rail segment 10 , a parking segment 26 or 28 is provided, which is supported by two base units 30 , which essentially correspond to the structure of the intermediate base units 24 , but allow the associated parking segment 26 , 28 to be fixed.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the base units 30 of the parking segments 26 , 28 are each offset by a grid from the segment ends to the inside, so that one obtains symmetrically freely projecting end sections of the parking segments 26 , 28 which are smooth and smooth with the ends of the Rail segment 10 are connectable. The parking segments 26 , 28 have exactly the same cross section and the same structure as a rail segment 10 , but are only shorter. The symmetrical design of the parking segments 26 , 28 with respect to a transverse center plane ensures that the base units 30 assigned to them do not have to absorb any tilting moments when the parking segment is not loaded.

The rail segment 10 , the structure of which will be described in more detail below, has an upper, horizontal main wall 32 and vertical side walls 34 depending from the lateral edges thereof.

Running on the rail segment 10 is shown a processing unit, denoted overall by 36 , which is composed of three sub-units, namely a milling unit 38 , a positioning unit 40 and a drilling unit 42 . The structure of the processing unit 36 will be described in more detail later.

If desired, several processing units 36 can be articulated to form a train or a larger processing unit, as indicated by dashed lines at 4 4.

The length of the parking segments 26 , 28 is such that the entire train 44 can be placed on them, so that a train 44 can be parked after completion of the processing of a rail segment 10 substantially without changing the height and without the aid of lifting tools or the like the finished rail segment 10 to be removed and a new segment to be processed tracks to use. The parking segments 26 , 28 also allow processing of the rail segment 10 up to directly on its end faces, as will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base units 16, 18, 24 preferably hinged by lying between them coupling rods 46 are.

The base units 30 are connected to one another, but not to the adjacent base unit 16 or 18 by a coupling rod 48 .

As can be seen from Fig. 4, the box section 12 is welded together from several steel plates. Transverse plates 50 extend from the lower sections of the side walls 34 . The plates 50 are welded to the side regions of the main wall 32 via vertical intermediate plates 54 .

Stator support rails 56 are welded to the plates 50 and the intermediate plates 54 . These are an endless rolled profile made of steel.

The inner ends of the mounting rails 56 are tightly connected to the side walls of the box section 12 via curved metal sheets 52 .

In order to hang stator laminations on the stator mounting rails 56 , the mounting rails 56 are provided with grooves, as are shown in more detail in FIG. 2.

Stator packs 58 are shown there , which consist of a plurality of stator lamellae which are stacked one behind the other in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2. In the undersides of the stator packs 58 there are transverse receiving grooves 60 which later receive the conductors of the field winding of the linear magnet which carries the levitation vehicle.

On the upper side, each stator package has two terminal support sections 62 , 64 , which have a substantially T-shaped cross section. A central positioning section 66 has a rectangular cross section.

Correspondingly, a positioning groove 68 and two support grooves 70 , 72 arranged on the sides of the support rails 56 are provided for each stator package. The positioning groove 68 fits exactly to the positioning section 66 of the stator packs 58 in order to position the latter exactly in the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail 56 . The support grooves 60 , 62 fit in cross-section to the cross section of the support sections 62 , 64 , but in a smaller sliding clearance, so that the stator packs 58 can be inserted into the support rail 56 in a lateral direction, ie in FIG. 2 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing ,

In order to be able to produce the various grooves 68 , 70 , 72 in the mounting rails 56 and also to be able to produce through- holes 74 in the mounting rail, on which the stator packs 58 can be secured by screws 76 after being pushed on, the mobile machining unit 36 gradually moved along the rail segment 10 . As will now be described in more detail below, the machining unit 36 is designed to produce a set of grooves 68 , 70 , 72 and a set of through holes 74 in each machining step.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the mobile processing unit 36 has a frame 78 which engages over the upper section of the rail segment 10 in a U-shape. In the base portion of the frame 78 , four support rollers 80 are rotatable about axes which are parallel to the main wall 32 and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rail segment 10 (this is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 4).

Four guide rollers 82 cooperate with the side walls 34 and rotate around axes that are perpendicular to the plane of the main wall 32 .

The bearing blocks for the return rollers 82, which are not shown in detail, are biased by schematically indicated plate spring stacks 84 in the direction of the adjacent side wall 34 . In addition, these bearing blocks are under an adjustable force, which are generated by compressed air cylinders 86 .

While the plate spring stack 84 are all identically formed, the pressure component of the processing unit 36 can be compensated for by different pressurization of the compressed air cylinder 86 , which is obtained when the main wall 32 is inclined to the horizontal, as shown in FIG. 4. For this purpose, the working spaces of the compressed air cylinders 86 representing gas springs can each be connected to a compressed air line 90 via a controllable pressure regulator 88 .

The pressure regulator 88 has an adjustable control pressure, which can be done e.g. B. can be realized by applying its control body with a variable additional force, which is provided by a magnet 92 , which is fed with variable current, as indicated by an adjustable resistor 94 . Resistor 94 can be a programmable resistor that is electrically controllable or a sliding resistor or the like that can be adjusted by a servo motor. In any case, one can adjust the pressure of the air that is supplied to the pressure air cylinders 86 by applying an electrical signal.

The control signals for the controllable pressure regulators 88 can either be taken from production data of the rail segment 10 , which indicate the inclination of the main wall 32 for each point of the rail segment (for example with reference to a segment end). Alternatively, the inclination of the processing unit 36 can be measured by an inclination sensor 96 , which is arranged on the processing unit 36 and provides a corresponding output signal.

The milling unit 32 comprises on both sides of the rail segment 10 each have three milling heads 98 arranged at the same longitudinal distance, which can be adjusted in the transverse direction by a servo drive, not shown, as indicated by an arrow 100 . Furthermore, the milling heads 98 can be adjusted ver in the axial direction, as indicated by an arrow 102 .

If desired, the milling heads 98 can additionally be adjusted in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 4 (longitudinal direction of the workpiece), if it is not intended to work with form cutters.

Milling cutters 104 clamped in the milling heads 98 have a silhouette which corresponds to the silhouette of the respectively desired type of groove (support groove or positioning groove).

The drilling unit 42 has on both sides of the rail segment, a multiple drilling head 106 with six spindles, each of which carries a drill 108 with which a through hole 74 can be produced. The structure of the multiple drilling heads 106 is selected according to the borehole division pattern of the stator mounting rail 56 . The multiple drill heads 106 can be adjusted in the direction perpendicular to the main wall 32 by a servo drive, not shown, as indicated by an arrow 110 .

The positioning unit 40 comprises a groove detector 112 which , for. B. can be formed by a television camera and downstream image evaluation electronics. The groove detector 112 generates an output signal when it is over a previously created groove.

If this output signal is obtained, then positioning parts 116 are moved into grooves lying above them by compressed air cylinders 114 . In this case, the processing unit 36 is positioned in a residual position. In this way, the processing unit 30 can be moved by increments that are exactly oriented to a division of the mounting rail 54 (that is, the length of a stator packet 58 ) while orienting on the grooves that have just been produced.

In Fig. 5 an embodiment of the positioning unit 40 is shown, in which two positioning parts 116 are provided, each of which cooperate with one of the support grooves 60 , 72 . If one arranges the groove detector 112 so that it cooperates with the right or left end face of the mounting rail 56 , a positioning part 116 and an associated compressed air cylinder 114 can also be provided for the positioning groove 66 of a groove set.

If you have more than one positioning part 116 , one of the positioning parts is worked in such a way that it fits absolutely freely into the assigned groove. The other of the positioning parts are worked with little play to avoid overdetermination, as exaggerated in Fig. 3.

The positioning parts 116 each have an insertion bevel 118 , as is also shown in the enlarged detail of FIG. 5.

The insertion bevels 118 of the outer positioning parts 116-1 and 116-3 of FIG. 3 are longer than that of the central positioning part 116-2 . The latter has a shorter length than the positioning parts 116-1 and 116-3 . Thus, the first engaging positioning parts 116-1 and 116-3 largely align the positioning unit 40 and thus the machining unit 35 on the grooves 70 and 72 before the positioning part 116-2 together with the groove 68 provides the last fine positioning ,

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the base unit 16 (and analogously the base units 18 and 20 ) has a chassis 120 which can be moved on rails 122 embedded in the floor of the production hall. The carriage 120 carries a vertical adjustment unit 120 via a transverse slide 126 , which is not to be described in detail here. The latter carries a bearing recess 124 via a pivot bearing 122 with a vertical axis of rotation. The latter has a circular bearing surface and carries with it a receiving table 126 which has a complementary bearing surface on the underside. 128 foot sections of end plates 130 , which are provided at the ends of the rail segment 10 , are positioned on the receiving table 126 by means of transversely adjustable claws.

It can be seen that in this way the end of a rail segment can be adjusted in height and inclination in order to accommodate a curved and possibly twisted rail segment 10 .

While in the base units 16 and 18 the end plates 130 are positioned transversely only between the correspondingly placed claws 128 , the claws 128 of the central base unit are firmly pressed against a central fixing plate of the rail segment 10 corresponding to the end plate 130 , so that this at this point is absolutely set.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the base units 24 have a likewise running on the rails 122 chassis 140, and the latter carries pivoted hydraulic cylinder 142. The piston rods 144 of the latter carry articulated support plates 146 which cooperate with the underside of a stator mounting rail 56 .

The hydraulic cylinders 142 can be pivoted on the chassis 140 about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece and the inclination can be adjusted by further hydraulic cylinders 148 . In this way, the position of the support plates 146 can be adapted to the desired position and desired inclination of the associated mounting rail 56 , as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 8.

A lateral adjustability of the support plates 146 can additionally be obtained by moving a base block 150 on the chassis 140 in the lateral direction.

The base units 30 for the parking segments 26 and 28 are constructed very similarly to the base units 24 (alternatively also 20 ), only fastening means are provided there to firmly connect the support plates 146 to the support rails 56 .

The processing device described above works as follows:

First, the processing unit 36 is placed on one of the parking segments 26 , 28 , e.g. B. on the parking segment 26th Then a rail segment 10 is placed on the base units 16 , 18 and 20 , the claws 136 of which are adjusted in height and inclination and in their angular position about the vertical axis, as is the case according to the production data of the respective rail segment 10 for the corresponding positions of the Rail segment is prescribed ben.

Then the various base units 24 are also set one after the other so that the positions prescribed according to the manufacturing data can be reached at the corresponding points of the rail segment 10 . If this adjustment work is completed, the claws 136 of the base unit 20 are pressed firmly against the fastening plate lying at the center of the rail segment, which corresponds in geometry to an end plate 138 .

Now the two parking segments 26 and 28 are adjusted by appropriate pressurization of the various hydraulic cylinders 142 and 148 so that each parking segment with its top and side surfaces represents a continuous and smooth continuation of the adjacent end of the rail segment 10 . This adjustment of the hydraulic cylinders can be carried out automatically by a control computer based on the production data for the rail segment to be machined.

Since the parking segments 26 and 28 correspond in their construction completely to the construction of a short inner segment, their mounting rails 56 also have positioning grooves 68 and support grooves 70 , 72 . At the start of processing, these serve as reference marks for the groove detector 112 and the positioning parts 116 .

First, the processing unit is moved by one division (i.e. the distance between a positioning groove 68 and the next positioning groove or the distance between successive groove groups) on the rail segment 10 , that is to say to the right in FIG .

Now the milling heads 102 are started and moved in the transverse direction. This creates a set of grooves 68 , 70 , 72 in each of the two mounting rails 56 .

Now the milling heads 102 are placed laterally next to the support rails 56 , and the processing unit 36 is moved one division further onto the rail segment 10 . The positioning unit 40 of the machining unit 36 now stands over the grooves 68 to 72 just created and can use this for the exact repositioning of the machining unit 36 , as described above with reference to the parking segment 26 . Now a second set of grooves 68 to 72 in the support rails 56 is generated. After its completion, the processing unit 36 is moved again by one division to the right, as a result of which the positioning unit 40 comes to rest over the newly created grooves. In addition, the multiple drilling heads 106 are now above the grooves created in the penultimate step.

In the next machining cycle, a set of grooves 68 to 72 is again generated in the two support rails 56 . At the same time, however, a set of through holes 74 can also be produced by the multiple drilling heads 106 .

At the end of this cycle, the processing unit 36 is now shifted again by one division, and the last cycle described is repeated. The whole thing continues until the machining unit 36 runs from the right end of the rail segment 10 in FIG. 1 to the parking segment 28 . In the last two working cycles, in which the milling heads 102 are already above the parking segment 28 , these remain switched off. And in the last working cycle, in which only the last through holes 74 are created in the right end of the rail segment 10 , the positioning unit 40 already uses the grooves in the right parking segment 28 for positioning the multiple boring head 106 .

If you do not want the through holes to be drilled using reference marks carried by the parking segment 28 , rather using newly created grooves, the positioning unit 40 can also be arranged behind the drilling unit 42, i.e. in Fig. 1 left the same.

In particular, if you arrange a large number of milling spindles and drilling spindles in the workpiece longitudinal direction in succession on the processing unit 36 , the processing unit 36 becomes relatively long. Difficulties can then arise from rail segments that are more curved and / or twisted.

You can then divide the processing unit into several sub-units, for. B. three sub-units, which correspond to the milling unit 38 , the positioning unit 40 and the drilling unit 42 . Such units are in the embodiment of FIG. 9 each connected by a coupling 152 which holds a ball socket joint ent. This allows the individual subunits to rotate against each other in the room.

It will be appreciated that the sub-assemblies then have their own frame and separate sets of idler rollers 80 and guide rollers 82 , as described above for the processing unit 36 as a whole.

The position of the couplings 152 is selected so that the articulation point is aligned with the neutral fiber of the plane which is given by the centers of the grooves 68 , 70 , 72 . In this way, the swivel movement of the individual subunits leads to very little changes in the work of the milling cutters and drills.

In FIG. 9, an arithmetic and control unit 154 is additionally shown, which evaluates the image of the optical groove detector 112 and takes care of the pressurization of a compressed air cylinder 114 .

In addition, a computing unit 160 is provided in the positioning unit 140 , which cooperates with a mass storage 162 in which the production data for the rail segment being processed are stored, in particular the inclination of the main wall 32 in both spatial directions (transverse and longitudinal inclination). These data are stored in the mass storage 162 with a resolution that is at least as good as the division of the mounting rails 56 .

The arithmetic unit 160 is unit of the arithmetic and control 154 supplied with pulses which are generated each time by this unit, when the Nutdetek gate 112 after the further setting of the processing unit 36 detects the alignment of the machining unit 36 slot used by a pitch a. In this way, the computing unit 160 knows exactly at which point the processing unit 36 is currently located.

Furthermore, the computing unit 160 is shown connected to the inclination sensor 96 . In this way, it can calculate both from the output signal of the inclination sensor 96 and from the position of the processing unit 36 and the production data stored in the mass storage 162 the additional pneumatic compensation force that is required on one of the compressed air cylinders 86 in order to counterbalance the weight-induced asymmetry of the self-centering the processing unit 36 to compensate for the rail segment 10 . The computing and control unit emits a suitable electrical signal, according to which the magnets 92 are energized.

In a modification of the above exemplary embodiments, the locking of the processing unit 36 at the various dividing points of the rail segment can also be accomplished in such a way that one controls through the recess detector 112 such compressed air cylinders 114 'that carry the clamping parts 116 ' which are in frictional engagement with one of the surfaces of the Schienenseg mentes 10 work together, z. B. with the lower end surface of the side walls 34 , as shown in Fig. 4 with.

In order to be able to check the course of the rail segment 10 in the longitudinal direction of the segment with regard to cornering behavior, ascending and descending and with respect to torsion of the driving surface, the processing unit 36 is provided at its rear end with two marks 163 , which are spaced apart in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG are indicated as crosshairs. The crosshairs visible in FIG. 1 were rotated through 90 ° about the vertical axis in order to be able to show it better.

The marks 163 are recorded by an electronic camera 164 , which is part of a camera unit designated overall by 166 , which is placed in a fixed position on the end of the parking segment 26 . The camera unit 166 comprises an evaluation unit 168 which roughly works as follows: It evaluates the electrical image generated by the camera 164 pixel by pixel so that it determines the position of the crossing points of the marks 163 .

Taking into account the geometry of the marks and the inclination of the rail segment at the point at which the processing unit 36 is currently standing (this inclination can be taken from the design data in a zero approximation), the evaluation unit 168 calculates the position of those points at which the extensions of the marks 160 cut the main wall 32 of the box section 12 .

The coordinates determined in this way are compared with the Design data for the rail segment. The comparison then reveals whether the corresponding section of the rails segments is within the permissible tolerance or Not.

As already indicated above, the evaluation unit 168 must know the slope of the rail segment at the respective measuring point in order to calculate the base points of the axes of the marks 163 . In order to be able to call up the design data for the measuring point, the evaluation unit 168 must know at which point of the rail segment the processing unit 36 is located.

As already explained above, the position of the processing unit 36 on the rail segment 10 can be determined by summing up corresponding output pulses from the computing and control unit 154 . The computer 160 has this data.

As can be seen from FIG. 9, the computer 160 is connected to a modem part 170 which is connected to an antenna 172 carried by the processing unit 36 . The entire arrangement is made in a manner known per se to the person skilled in the art so that the data provided by the computer 160 are converted into serial representation and then a carrier signal is modulated onto one of the known modulation methods (amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, pulse width modulation, etc.). Appropriately modulated RF signals are emitted by the antenna 172 and picked up by an antenna 174 which belongs to the camera unit 166 .

As can be seen from FIG. 10, the evaluation unit 168 has a modem part 176 on the input side, which is connected to the antenna 174 . For the purposes of the description, this modem part is also intended to contain those circuits which ensure that the data transmitted over the radio link is converted back into a representation which is favorable for data evaluation.

The signals thus recovered, which are assigned to the position of the processing unit 36 on the rail segment 10 , are sent to an evaluation computer 178 . The latter is connected to the electronic camera 164 via a controllable interface 180 . The evaluation computer 178 always activates the interface 180 for reading in a complete image whenever it receives a new position value for the processing unit 36 from the modem part 176 .

The evaluation computer 178 then looks for those places in the camera image where the crossover points of the marks 162 are located and initially saves these coordinates unchanged in a memory field 182 of a mass memory designated overall by 184 . In a further memory field 186, this also contains the construction data of the rail segment 10 that has been processed and measured.

In a further memory field 188, the evaluation computer 178 stores the intersection points of the axes of the marks 162 with the main wall 32 , which, as described above, it has calculated from the mark coordinates.

If desired, the evaluation computer 178 can calculate the deviation of the measured measuring points from the construction data of the rail segment and either store the result in a further memory field 190 of the mass storage 184 , or provide this result on a printer 192 or a similar output medium or provide this result via an transmit another modem part 194 to a central production computer (not shown).

In the exemplary embodiment described above, the processing unit 36 also represented a measuring unit. The rail segment can be measured simultaneously with the creation of the various grooves and bores.

Alternatively you can measure rail segments also use a measuring unit from machining unity is independent.

Such a measuring unit can have a largely similar structure, as described above with reference to the machining unit 36 , only the milling unit 38 and the drilling unit 42 are omitted.

It goes without saying that such a measuring unit then can be built much easier, since such Measuring unit no heavy aggregates like the milling heads and need to wear boring heads and no reaction either must absorb forces as against a workpiece machining heads to be pressed are needed.

From the above description of the measurement of the rail segment 10 using the processing unit 36 , which also represents a measuring unit, it was found that a conversion of the position coordinates of the marks 163 into the coordinates with their axes aligned measuring points on the main wall 32 is necessary. Such a conversion is considerably simplified if the crossing points of the marks are in the running plane, which is predetermined by the tangential plane on the support rollers 80 . Fig. 11 shows schematically a corresponding measuring unit 36 '.

The determination of the coordinates of the measuring points is once again simplified if the marks can be placed directly on the surface of the rail segment to be measured. Figure 12 indicates one way to do this.

The support wheels 80 are formed with a frustoconical peripheral surface. A contact area of the impellers 80 with the running wall 32 reduced to one point is thus obtained. And this point of contact or the section of the wheel edge adjacent to it, together with the top of the main wall 32, can serve as a mark as well as a mark placed on the outside of the measuring unit 36 '( FIG. 11).

It is understood that one chooses the clear distance between the underside of the measuring unit 36 'and the outer contour of the rail segment so large that the edges of the support rollers 80 remain well visible even when the measuring unit 36 ' over a rising or falling the section of the rail segment 10 is moved.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 12, the laterally arranged guide rollers 82 are also provided with a frustoconical outer surface, so that the point of contact between the guide rollers 82 and the side walls 34 can also be used as a mark.

Claims (31)

1. Device for measuring a rail segment for a magnetic levitation train, characterized by :
a bearing device ( 16 , 18 , 20 , 24 ) for the rail segment ( 10 ) by
a measuring unit ( 36 ; 36 ') which can be moved on the rail segment ( 10 ) and carries at least one mark ( 163 ; 80 ; 82 )
a camera ( 164 ) which generates an image of the marks ( 182 ; 80 ; 82 ) and by
a distance measuring device ( 40 ) which determines the respective distance of the measuring unit ( 36 ) from a predetermined reference point of the rail segment ( 10 ), in particular one end of the rail segment. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the marks ( 163 ; 80 ; 82 ) project beyond the clear contour of the measuring unit ( 36 ; 36 '). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the marks ( 163 ; 80 ; 82 ) lie in a running plane, which is predetermined by guide means ( 80 ; 82 ) of the measuring unit ( 36 ), which with a guide surface ( 32 ) of the rail segment ( 10 ) work together. 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the marks are formed by tapered edge portions of guide means ( 80 ; 82 ). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the marks ( 163 ; 80 ; 82 ) lie at one of the ends of the measuring unit ( 10 ). 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5 for the use of rail segments ( 10 ) which are provided with recesses ( 68-72 ) arranged at regular intervals, characterized in that
that the measuring unit ( 36 ; 36 ') has a positioning device ( 40 ) through which the measuring unit ( 10 ) can be aligned with one of the recesses ( 68-72 ) and
that the marks ( 163 ; 80 ; 82 ) are preferably arranged in a transverse plane predetermined by the positioning device ( 40 ). 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the positioning device has a positioning part ( 116 ) which can be positively inserted into a recess ( 68-72 ) or frictionally with the rail segment ( 10 ) cooperating clamping means ( 114 ', 116 ') having. 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the positioning part ( 116 ) by a servomotor ( 114 ) in a recess ( 68-72 ) is movable. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the distance measuring device ( 40 ) has a distance meter ( 112 , 154 , 160 ) or an incremental encoder ( 112 , 154 ) which is carried by the measuring unit ( 36 ). 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the output signal of the odometer ( 112 , 154 , 160 ) via a wireless modem ( 170 , 176 ) is connected to an evaluation unit ( 168 ), which furthermore the output signal of an image converter of the camera ( 164 ) receives. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the measuring unit ( 36 ) is moved intermittently by a division or a multiple of the division of the recesses ( 68-72 ) and the evaluation unit ( 168 ) after each moving the measuring unit ( 36 ) to the next Measuring point takes ( 180 ) an image from the camera ( 164 ). 12. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the measuring unit is part of a machining unit ( 36 ) which comprises at least one machining head ( 98 ; 106 ) for material removal and has a chassis ( 78-62 ), which is movable on the rail segment ( 10 ), at least one positioning means ( 16 ; 112 ) being provided, which can work together with recesses ( 68-72 ) present in the workpiece ( 10 ), in particular in that it is between a In the rail segment ( 10 ) existing recesses ( 68-72 ) cooperating working position and a rest position lifted from the workpiece ( 10 ) is movable. 13. The device according to any one of claims 1-12 for use with a rail segment ( 10 ) having a main wall ( 32 ) with a substantially horizontal extension component and two side walls ( 34 ) with a substantially vertical extension component, characterized in that the guide means ( 82 ) facing the side walls ( 34 ) can be adjusted in a transverse direction parallel to the main wall ( 32 ) and are each prestressed in the direction of the adjacent side wall ( 34 ) by identically constructed pretensioning devices ( 84 , 86 ). 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the biasing means springs, in particular plate spring stack ( 82 ). 15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the biasing devices have compressed air cylinders ( 86 ) which are acted upon by at least one pressure regulator ( 88 ) with compressed air. 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that a pressure regulator ( 88 ) is provided for the two side walls ( 34 ) zugeordne th compressed air cylinder ( 86 ). 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the pressure regulator ( 88 ) are control bar in their control pressure and their control inputs are struck with a signal which is assigned to the inclination of the main wall ( 32 ) to the horizontal. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the pressure control signals are derived from an inclination sensor ( 96 ) carried by the chassis ( 78-82 ). 19. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the pressure control signals from a vehicle carried by the vehicle odometer ( 112 , 154 , 160 ) are derived, which a the current distance of the machining unit ( 36 ) from the end of the rail segment ( 10 ) accordingly it provides signal. 20. Device according to one of claims 12-19, characterized in that the processing unit ( 36 ) carries a work control ( 160 ) which the work of the working heads ( 98 ; 106 ) and the positioning means ( 40 ) in dependence on one with the work control ( 160 ) cooperating mass storage ( 162 ) stored characteristics of the rail segment ( 10 ) controls, or carries a modem part, via which there is a connection to a fixed such work control. 21. Device according to one of claims 12-20, characterized in that at least one milling mechanism ( 98 ) is beneath the working heads, which can be moved in the transverse direction to the longitudinal axis of the rail segment ( 10 ) ( 100 ). 22. Device according to one of claims 12-21, characterized in that there is at least one boring machine ( 106 ) under the working heads. 23. Device according to one of claims 12-22, characterized in that the processing unit ( 36 ) carries a plurality in the longitudinal direction of the rail segment ( 10 ) at the same distance successively arranged milling machines ( 98 ) and / or boring machines ( 106 ). 24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that the milling machines ( 98 ) and the boring machines ( 106 ) are combined into groups. 25. The device according to claim 24, characterized in that the groups of milling machines ( 98 ) and the group of boring machines ( 106 ) are carried by independent carriages, which are connected to one another by joints, preferably via cardanic joints or ball joints ( 152 ) , 26. Device according to one of claims 12-25, characterized in that the positioning means ( 40 ) are carried by a separate undercarriage which is articulated to another undercarriage ( 152 ). 27. The apparatus of claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the pivot points of the joints ( 152 ) at the level of the neutral fiber of the sections to be processed from the rail segment ( 10 ). 28. Device according to one of claims 1-27, characterized by parking parts ( 26 , 28 ) which are at the ends of the rail segment ( 10 ) and which have boundary surfaces which cooperate with the guide means ( 82 , 84 ) at least in the surface regions , represent a steady, smooth continuation of the boundary surfaces of the rail segment ( 10 ). 29. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the parking parts ( 26 , 28 ) have the same cross-sections and the same structure as sections of the workpiece ( 10 ). 30. The device according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the parking parts ( 26 , 28 ) of base units ( 30 ) are carried, which have height and / or inclination adjustable fastening parts ( 146 ). 31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that the base units ( 30 ) for the parking parts ( 26 , 28 ) have essentially the same structure as the base units ( 24 ) which serve to support the Schienenseg element ( 10 ).